Month: March 2021

Armenian authorities seize $45,000,000 worth heroin in “unprecedented” find

Garnik Zakarian

 13:24, 3 March, 2021

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Officers of the Anti-Contraband Department of the State Revenue Committee discovered 365kg of heroin during customs control of a cargo stored at a Yerevan customs depot with authorities describing the seizure as “unprecedented in the entire region.”

The 33 boxes containing heroin with a street price of nearly 45,000,000 dollars were hidden in a 18600kg cargo declared as “baker’s yeast”. The cargo was meant to be transported from Iran, through Armenia into Western Europe, the State Revenue Committee said.

Police and National Security Service officers were also involved in the intelligence work.

“The criminal scheme was discovered as a result of large-scale and comprehensive analytical work and complex tactical-intelligence actions,” the agency said, noting that the K9 units played an important role as well.

6 suspects are under arrest. Authorities said they all hold different citizenships. 

Authorities said they are investigating to reveal any other possible accomplices of the syndicate.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenia sharply increased money laundering investigations since 2018, says US State Department report

Emma Jilavian

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 11:30, 3 March, 2021

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 3, ARMENPRESS. The US State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs presented its International Narcotics Control Strategy Report.

“Armenia is gradually strengthening its AML legislation and has sharply increased its money laundering investigations and convictions since the 2018 “Velvet Revolution.” Armenia is aggressively pursuing criminal cases against high-level officials from prior governments and oligarchs connected to them, and thanks to new legislation, can now pursue assets connected to illegal activity in civil court following the establishment of a non-conviction-based asset forfeiture regime. Armenia’s parliament passed amendments to strict bank secrecy laws that hinder the ability of Armenian investigators to gain access to banking records. Although the Constitutional Court struck down the amendments, the government is currently working on new draft legislation to address the Constitutional Court’s concerns. The non-conviction-based asset forfeiture regime and these prospective changes to the bank secrecy laws should provide the Armenian criminal justice system with the authorities and tools to strengthen money laundering investigations and ramp up convictions even further in 2021 and beyond,” the report, in part, says.

“Although the current government is implementing an ambitious anti-corruption program, narcotics smuggling, the shadow economy, significant inflows of remittances from abroad, the hiding of assets within the real estate sector, and the use of cash remain widespread and constitute vulnerabilities.”

Between mid-2018 and November 2019, the Financial Investigation Unit  received inquiries on a total of 200 criminal cases involving elements of money laundering. That number increased to approximately 700 such investigations from January to October 2020, the report said.

These cases were mostly initiated with charges for predicate offenses such as high-profile corruption, embezzlement, tax evasion, theft, and fraud. A significant number of these investigations target representatives of Armenia’s former regimes and associated oligarchs.

“Armenia should provide criminal penalties for legal persons involved in money laundering or terrorist financing, ensure all reporting sectors provide mandated financial intelligence reports, criminalize misrepresentation, and create vetting mechanisms to prevent corrupt criminal actors from serving as, owning, or managing DNFPBs.”

COVID-19: Armenian CDC reports 360 new cases

Emil Lazarian

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 11:03, 3 March, 2021

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian National Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports 360 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the cumulative total number of confirmed cases to 172,816.

The total number of recoveries reached 163,906 (168 in the last 24 hours).

Two people died from COVID-19 complications, raising the death toll to 3202. This number doesn’t include the deaths of 819 other individuals (1 in the last 24 hours) infected with the virus, who according to authorities died from other, pre-existing illnesses.

As of 11:00, March 3 the number of active cases stood at 4889.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Freedom House report addresses post-war disturbances and democracy level in Armenia

Emil Lazarian

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 10:54, 3 March, 2021

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Freedom House presented its Freedom in the World 2021 Democracy Under Siege report, where Armenia is ranked 55th in 100. Last year, Armenia’s ranking was 53.

“The use of military force by authoritarian states, another symptom of the global decay of democratic norms, was on display in Nagorno-Karabakh last year. New fighting erupted in September when the Azerbaijani regime, with decisive support from Turkey, launched an offensive to settle a territorial dispute that years of diplomacy with Armenia had failed to resolve,” the report said.

The report states that the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh War had a “spillover” effect for democracy.

“In addition to strengthening the rule of Azerbaijan’s authoritarian president, Ilham Aliyev, the conflict threatens to destabilize the government in Armenia. A rare bright spot in a region replete with deeply entrenched authoritarian leaders, Armenia has experienced tentative gains in freedom since mass antigovernment protests erupted in 2018 and citizens voted in a more reform-minded government,” it said.

Noting the post-armistice disturbances in Yerevan, where the parliament speaker was attacked and the government building was stormed, the report noted that “such disorder threatens the country’s hard-won progress.”

President Sarkissian meets with army chief

Yeghisabet Arthur

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 15:53, 3 March, 2021

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. President Armen Sarkissian held a meeting today with the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Colonel-General Onik Gasparyan, the presidency said in a news release.

The president and Gasparyan discussed the “tense situation which resulted from the latest developments.”

“It was noted that regardless of the decisions in this regard, the country’s security and stability are of primary importance. President Sarkissian mentioned that the armed forces should always be under our care and that he will continue keeping the army and its issues under his attention.”

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

COVID-19 cases rise in Armenia, Health Minister urges returning to strict regime of wearing masks

Emil Lazarian

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 17:43, 3 March, 2021

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Healthcare Minister of Armenia Anahit Avanesyan urges the citizens to return to the strict regime of wearing masks amid the rise of COVID-19 cases in the last two weeks, ARMENPRESS reports Avanesyan said during parliament-Cabinet Q&A session.

‘’The low number of cases caused some relaxation among the population and many today don’t wear the masks. But in the last 2 weeks we can witness rise of the virus. Today 14% of the tests were positive and I ask and urge to return to the strict regime of wearing masks and try to prevent the spread of the virus’’, the Minister said, adding that wearing masks has a very important role on the prevention of the spread of the virus.

PM Pashinyan plans to meet with parliamentary opposition leaders in the nearest days

Tambiyan Samvel

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 18:26, 3 March, 2021

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan plans to meet head of ''Bright Armenia'' Party Edmon Marukyan and head of ''Prosperous Armenia'' Party Gagik Tsarukyan in the nearest days to discuss the issue of extraordinary elections, ARMENPRESS reports Pashinyan said during parliament-Cabinet Q&A session.

‘’If our parliamentary opposition partner accept the proposal (signing a memorandum on holding extraordinary elections – edit.), we will hold extraordinary parliamentary elections. I have already sent the invitation first of all to the heads of the parliamentary opposition and I plan to meet with them in the nearest days and I hope an agreement will be reached’’, Pashinyan said.

The PM said that the elections should be held based on consensus.

‘’We see elections as a tool for recovering public solidarity, it’s a tool for solving that issue and giving the people an opportunity to express their will’’, Pashinyan said, adding that the Government and the political forces must ensure the free, fair and legal elections.

Charges pressed against opposition leader Vazgen Manukyan

Emil Lazarian

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 20:00, 3 March, 2021

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Charges have been pressed against the joint candidate for the post of Prime Minister of Armenia of the Fatherland Salvation Movement Vazgen Manukyan for public calls to usurp power and overthrow the constitutional order, head of the press service of the Investigative Committee of Armenia Rima Yeganyan told ARMENPRESS.

Yeganyan noted that Vazgen Manukyan made public calls to usurp power and overthrow the constitutional order during a rally at the Freedom Square on February 20.

Vazgen Manukyan has been notified to visit the Investigative Committee for interrogation on March 4.

RFE/RL Armenian Report – 03/03/2021

Boris Nahapetian 
                                        Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Armenian Army Chief Still In Limbo

        • Sargis Harutyunyan

Armenia - President Armen Sarkissian and General Onik Gasparian at an official 
awards ceremony in Yerevan, July 5, 2019.

The Armenian military said on Wednesday that its top general will continue 
performing his duties for now despite Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s efforts 
to have him fired.

Pashinian petitioned President Armen Sarkissian last week to sign a decree 
relieving General Onik Gasparian of his duties shortly after the chief of the 
military’s General Staff and 40 other high-ranking officers accused the Armenian 
government of misrule and demanded its resignation.

Sarkissian refused to sign such a decree on Saturday, saying that it appears to 
be unconstitutional and would deepen the “unprecedented” political crisis in the 
country. Pashinian criticized the refusal as “unfounded” and resent his motion 
to Sarkissian in another attempt to get him to fire Gasparian.

Sarkissian on Tuesday appeared to have paved the way for Gasparian’s removal, 
again refusing to sign the proposed decree but making it clear that he will not 
ask the Constitutional Court to invalidate it.

Under Armenian law, the president can keep blocking or at least delaying the 
general’s sacking only by appealing to the court.

Sarkissian’s second decision prompted serious concern from leaders of the 
Homeland Salvation Movement, an opposition alliance seeking Pashinian’s 
resignation. They met with him on Wednesday morning.

The head of state also held another separate meeting with Gasparian. In a 
statement issued shortly afterwards, the General Staff offered its 
interpretation of complex legal requirements and procedures for the dismissal of 
its chief.

The statement said, among other things, that Gasparian is legally allowed to 
remain “the supreme military commander of the Armed Forces” until the end of 
this week.

The government’s initial reaction to the statement was cautious, with Deputy 
Prime Minister Tigran Avinian calling it “contentious” during the government’s 
question-and-answer session in the parliament. Pashinian also attended the 
session but chose not to comment. He earlier condemned the military’s demands as 
a coup attempt,


ARMENIA -- Opposition supporters rally outside the National Assembly building to 
demand Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian's resignation over his handling of last 
year's war with Azerbaijan, March 3, 2021

A leader of the Homeland Salvation Movement, Vazgen Manukian, echoed the 
military’s interpretation of the law when he addressed supporters continuing to 
demonstrate in downtown Yerevan.

Manukian claimed that Sarkissian and lawyers from the presidential staff assured 
the oppositionists that Gasparian can remain army chief until March 8. “We got 
half of what we wanted … but we have time to fight on,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sarkissian’s office did not clarify whether it indeed believes 
Gasparian can continue to lead the armed forces for at least several more days.

Legal experts were divided on the issue. One of them, Tigran Yegorian, told 
RFE/RL’s Armenian Service that Gasparian will automatically lose his post in the 
coming hours because Sarkissian has not challenged in the Constitutional Court 
the legality of his dismissal. Yegorian dismissed the military’s latest 
statement as “an empty piece of paper.”

But Ara Ghazarian, a constitutional law expert, insisted that Gasparian’s 
sacking must be put on hold because the president has decided to ask the court 
to determine whether a relevant legal clause conforms to the Armenian 
constitution.



Armenian Opposition Leader ‘Indicted’

        • Artak Khulian

ARMENIA - Opposition leader Vazgen Manukian speaks to a crowd during a rally to 
pressure Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian to resign in Yerevan, March 1, 
2021

Law-enforcement authorities have reportedly brought criminal charges against a 
veteran Armenian politician who has said that opposition forces trying to topple 
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian must be ready to stage an uprising.

Vazgen Manukian made the statement in a speech delivered at a rally held by the 
Homeland Salvation Movement, an alliance of more than a dozen opposition 
parties, on February 20.

“At any moment -- it could be today, one week later or ten days later -- we must 
be ready for revolting and taking power at lightning speed,” said Manukian.

He described that as “Plan B” of the opposition campaign for Pashinian’s 
resignation involving peaceful protests.

“We will follow Plan A but must always be ready for Plan B,” said the 
75-year-old politician whom the opposition alliance wants to head an interim 
government to be formed after Pashinian’s resignation.

Prosecutors said last week that the authorities have launched a criminal 
investigation into public calls for a violent overthrow of the government.

A senior member of the Homeland Salvation Movement said on Wednesday that 
Armenia Investigative Committee has formally leveled such charges against 
Manukian. He condemned the move as politically motivated.

The Investigative Committee did not immediately confirm the information.

Manukian, who had served as Armenia’s prime minister and defense minister in the 
early 1990s, first floated the idea of an “uprising” when he met with opposition 
supporters in late January. His calls have not been officially endorsed by the 
opposition bloc.



Snap Elections Inevitable, Says Pashinian Ally

        • Gayane Saribekian

Armenia -- Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, parliament speaker Ararat Mirzoyan 
(C) and his deputy Alen Simonian (R) arrive for the Armenian government's 
question-and-answer session in the National Assembly, Yerevan, March 3, 2021.

The holding of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia is inevitable, a close 
associate of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian said on Wednesday.

Pashinian proposed the elections in late December following opposition protests 
sparked by Armenia’s defeat in the war in Nagorno-Karabakh. Opposition forces 
dismissed the offer, saying that they must be held by an interim government 
after Pashinian’s resignation.

The ruling political team stated last month that it no longer sees the need to 
dissolve the Armenian parliament controlled by it. It claimed that most 
Armenians do not want that either.

Pashinian renewed his election offer on Monday after the Armenian military’s top 
brass demanded his resignation, deepening the political crisis in the country. 
One of the two opposition parties represented in the parliament, Bright Armenia 
(LHK), accepted it.

LHK leader Edmon Marukian insisted on Wednesday that fresh elections are the 
only realistic way to end the crisis even if they are held by the current 
government. He said he will likely meet with Pashinian on Thursday.

The other parliamentary opposition party, Prosperous Armenia (BHK), again 
avoided clarifying its stance. The BHK is part of an opposition alliance which 
has been holding demonstrations in a bid to force Pashinian to resign.

Alen Simonian, a senior member of the ruling My Step bloc, expressed hope that 
an election-related agreement with the parliamentary opposition will be reached 
after all.

“In my view, there is no way we can avoid pre-term elections because they are 
first and foremost needed by the authorities,” Simonian told reporters.

He at the same time said: “The elections may take place only if all sides, or at 
least most of them, reach an agreement, and so we are going down that path.”

Under Armenia’s existing constitution, snap polls must be called only if 
Pashinian resigns and the National Assembly twice fails to elect another prime 
minister. His My Step bloc officially controls 83 seats in the 132-member 
parliament and should in theory be able to easily prevent the election of 
another premier nominated by the opposition minority.

Nevertheless, Pashinian demanded in January that the BHK and the LHK formally 
pledge to refrain from such nominations in the event of his tactical 
resignation. Both parties refused to do that.



Head Of Judicial Watchdog Under Fire From Ruling Bloc

        • Anush Mkrtchian

Armenia -- Ruben Vartazarian, head of the Supreme Judicial Council, holds a news 
conference in Yerevan, September 4, 2019.

The head of a state body empowered to nominate, sanction and fire Armenian 
judges faced a barrage of strong criticism from pro-government lawmakers for a 
second consecutive day on Wednesday.

Ruben Vartazarian, the chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), was put 
on the defensive as he asked the National Assembly to confirm two new senior 
judges nominated by the SJC.

During a question-and-answer session that began on Tuesday, deputies 
representing Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s My Step bloc ignored the 
nominations and accused Vartazarian of effectively siding with the Armenian 
opposition. They pointed to a November 15 statement in which Vartazarian urged 
judges to prove that they are “honest professionals,” rather than “judges 
whimpering under walls.”

Pashinian lambasted unnamed “whimpering” judges in 2019 when he accused the 
Armenian judiciary of maintaining ties with the country’s former leadership.

The My Step deputies charged that with his controversial statement Vartazarian 
encouraged courts to hand down anti-government rulings.

One of those lawmakers, Hayk Gevorgian, noted that the courts refused to 
sanction the arrest of individuals charged with breaking into Armenia’s main 
state buildings and ransacking them immediately after a Russian-brokered 
ceasefire that stopped the war in Nagorno-Karabakh on November 10.


Armenia -- Deputies from the ruling My Step bloc attend a session of the 
Armenian parliament, Yerevan, January 22, 2021.

Vartazarian insisted that he did not issue any politically motivated orders to 
courts.

“It was a call for restraint and soberness,” he said. “I reacted to an offensive 
political statement.”

“I called on my colleagues to refrain from making any political decisions in 
favor of the government, the opposition or civil society and to be guided only 
by the law,” Vartazarian told another parliamentarian.

In recent months, Armenian judges have refused to allow law-enforcement 
authorities to arrest dozens of opposition leaders and members as well as other 
anti-government activists. Virtually all of those individuals are prosecuted in 
connection with street protests sparked by the Pashinian administration’s 
handling of the Karabakh war.

Pashinian claimed in December that Armenia’s judicial system has become part of 
a “pseudo-elite” which is trying to topple him after the disastrous war. 
Vartazarian rejected the criticism.



Over 300 Kilos Of Heroin Seized In Armenia


Armenia -- A photo released by the State Revenue Committee on March 3, 2021 
shows an Armenian customs officer and a sniffer dog searching through boxes 
which authorities say contained heroin smuggled from Iran.

Law-enforcement authorities in Armenia said on Wednesday that they have seized 
more than 300 kilograms of heroin smuggled from neighboring Iran and destined 
for Europe.

The State Revenue Committee (SRC) reported that six individuals of “different 
nationalities” have been arrested in what it called the country’s biggest drug 
bust in seven years. The government agency comprising the Armenian tax and 
customs services did not identify the suspects or specify their nationalities.

In a statement, the SRC said that officers of its anti-smuggling unit found the 
heroin hidden in 33 boxes supposedly containing baker’s yeast imported from Iran 
and stored at a customs warehouse in Yerevan.

“The market value of the heroin weighing, together with the packaging, about 365 
kilograms is roughly $45 million,” the statement said, adding that “Western 
Europe” was meant to be the consignment’s final destination.

The statement also said that the SRC and the National Security Service (NSS) are 
taking “large-scale” investigative measures to try to identify more people 
possibly involved in the drug trafficking case.


Armenia - Confiscated boxes at a customs warehouse in Yerevan which authorities 
say contained heroin smuggled from Iran.

The case represents the second largest amount of the Class A drug ever seized in 
Armenia.

In 2014, Armenian authorities confiscated as many as 850 kilograms of heroin 
which they said was smuggled from Iran by a drug trafficking ring led by a 
Turkish national. The man, Osman Ugurlu, was arrested and subsequently sentenced 
by an Armenian court to 19 years in prison. He denied any involvement in the 
massive heroin smuggling.

Iran is believed to be the main source of drug trafficking in and through 
Armenia. Hundreds of Iranians as well as their local accomplices have been 
imprisoned in the South Caucasus country on corresponding charges since the 
1990s.

Drug trafficking is a serious challenge for Iran as it borders Afghanistan, the 
world’s largest opium producer, and Pakistan, a major transit country for drugs.


Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2021 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

Press Release: BREAKING NEWS: City of Burbank Councilmembers Unanimously Approve a Resolution to Formally Recognize the Independent Republic of Artsakh

Emil Lazarian
The Blunt Post, CA
March 3 2021

 

Contact:

310.880.8563
[email protected]

 

 

For Immediate Release: (Los Angeles) March 3, 2021 – The City of Burbank unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing the Independent Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and Rescinding the Friendship City Status of the Town of Hadrut in Artsakh during last night’s city council meeting. The Council requested for the city staff to write the final text of the resolution to be approved in the next few weeks.

The request for the City of Burbank to consider the resolution was initiated by the Armenian-American journalist, radio host, and activist, Vic Gerami. It was sponsored by Councilmember Nick Schultz

“As an Armenian-American who grew up in Burbank, this is a very important recognition for me. I am grateful for Councilmember Nick Schultz for sponsoring the resolution, as well as other Councilmembers for their vote.” Vic Gerami, the host of THE BLUNT POST with VIC on KPFK 90.7 FM.

He continued, “Burbank is known as the ‘Media Capital of the World,’ so this historic move will have significant reverberations and send a clear message that Burbank stands for human rights, people’s right to self-determination, and in support of its large Armenian-American community.”

Burbank is a city built by People, Pride, and Progress. These three ingredients turned a tiny, rural town into the thriving community it is today. Throughout its 100-year history, Burbank has embodied a forward-thinking city that provides a high quality of life and strong sense of community to its residents. In keeping with this tradition, the City will continue to combine 21st century technology with the same small town feel that will make Burbank an ideal place to live, work and play for years to come.

Armenians make up more than 10% of Burbank’s population. Since 1990, the number of Armenians in Burbank has nearly quintupled, from 2,780 to 13,846, according to the most recent Census data. This number is likely much higher now as it does not reflect the results of the most recent census conducted in 2020.

“Early last month, I spoke with Vic Gerami about the steps taken by our regional partners (e.g., Los Angeles, Glendale, and West Hollywood) to formally recognize the Independent Republic of Artsakh.  He encouraged the Burbank City Council to take action and I am thankful that he brought it to our attention. He was quickly joined by many members of our community,” said Councilmember Schultz.

He added, “Tonight the Burbank City Council unanimously requested that city staff bring back a resolution to finalize this recognition.  This step will be incredibly meaningful to the Armenian members of our community who have been directly and indirectly impacted by the violence and loss of life stemming from the military aggression by Azerbaijan in the region.  I look forward to formalizing this recognition of Artsakh in furtherance of promoting democracy and the right to self-determination.”

Approximately 900,000 Armenians live in CA, 700,000 of whom in the greater Los Angeles area, including West Hollywood, Hollywood, East Hollywood (Little Armenia), Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, and throughout the San Fernando Valley.

Ten (10) states across the US have recognized the Independent Republic of Artsakh so far. They are CA, CO, GA, HI, LA, MA, ME, MI, MN, RI. Cities that have recognized Artsakh include Los Angeles, Glendale, West Hollywood, Fresno County, Highland, Gardena, Fort Lee Borough, Fowler, Englewood Cliffs, Clark County, Ridgefield, Cliffside Park, and Orange County.

In addition to dozens of cities across the US, hundreds of cities and principalities in France and Italy have recognized Artsakh, as well as cities in the United Kingdom, Spain, Uruguay, and Guatemala.

On November 25, 20202, the French Senate voted 305-1 recognizing the independence of the Republic of Artsakh, calling upon the US administration and Congressional leaders to take similar action.

Following the Senate’s vote, on December 3, 2020, France’s National Assembly approved a resolution calling on the government to recognize Artsakh as a “republic.” The resolution was adopted in the Assembly with 188 “yes” votes against three “no” votes, while 16 deputies abstained from voting.

About Burbank

Burbank is a city built by People, Pride, and Progress. These three ingredients turned a tiny, rural town into the thriving community it is today.

In the beginning, the land occupied by the present City of Burbank was part of two large Spanish land grants. The first was the vast Rancho San Rafael, granted to Don Jose Maria Verdugo by the Spanish government in 1798. Nearby, Rancho La Providencia was created following Mexico’s successful bid for independence from Spain in 1821. The real history of the City, though, began when a New Hampshire dentist headed west with the thousands of other Americans seeking new opportunities.

Burbank is a city in the southeastern end of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County, California. Located just 12 miles (19 km) northwest of Downtown Los Angeles, Burbank is well known for being home to Walt Disney Studios and Warner Bros Studios, as well as having the largest IKEA in the United States. The population at the 2010 census was 103,340.

Billed as the “Media Capital of the World” and only a few miles northeast of Hollywood, numerous media and entertainment companies are headquartered or have significant production facilities in Burbank, including Warner Bros. Entertainment, The Walt Disney Company, Nickelodeon Animation Studios, The Burbank Studios, Cartoon Network Studios with the West Coast branch of Cartoon Network, and Insomniac Games. The Hollywood Burbank Airport was the location of Lockheed’s Skunk Works, which produced some of the most secret and technologically advanced airplanes, including the U-2 spy planes that uncovered the Soviet Union missile components in Cuba in October 1962.

Burbank consists of two distinct areas: a downtown/foothill section, in the foothills of the Verdugo Mountains, and the flatland section. The city was referred to as “Beautiful Downtown Burbank” on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, as both shows were taped at NBC’s former studios. The city was named after David Burbank, a New Hampshire–born dentist and entrepreneur who established a sheep ranch there in 1867.

About Vic Gerami

A noted journalist, a columnist, Vic Gerami is also a radio show host and media contributor who is also publisher and editor of The Blunt Post.

Gerami is the host and producer of his prime-time radio show, THE BLUNT POST with VIC on Independent Radio KPFK 90.7 FM (Pacifica Network).  The program covers national breaking and headline news, politics, and current events, and Gerami offers analysis and commentary. He also interviews a member of Congress and other high-profile public figures on every show. A few of his recent guests include Congressman Adam Schiff, Congresswoman Jackie Speier, Congressman Tony Cardenas, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, and Congresswoman Judy Chu, Congressman Jim Costa, Congresswoman Norma Torres, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, Congressman Raul Ruiz + Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, as well as Marianne Williamson. You can listen to all the interviews here.

Today reaching national international audiences, Gerami first built a foundation of knowledge and skills by learning the media industry during his years at Frontiers Magazine, followed by positions at LA Weekly and Voice Media Group. For the second time, Gerami was selected as a finalist in the Los Angeles Press Club’s National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards “Columnist of the Year” category in 2019, having first made the final round of consideration in 2017. His celebrity Q&A column, ‘10 Questions with Vic‘ is internationally syndicated.

A few of many celebrities whom Gerami has interviewed include Melissa Etheridge, Paula Abdul, Dan Reynolds (Imagine Dragons), Kathy Griffin, Matthew Modine, Laverne Cox, and Marianne Williamson.

In July 2020, the Los Angeles Press Club announced that Gerami is a Finalist in record seven (7) categories for the 62nd Annual Southern California Journalism Awards.

The seven categories in which Gerami is a finalist are a mix of investigative reporting, political coverage, social justice issues, and interviews. He is recognized for his print and online journalism, as well as interviews on his namesake radio show.

Gerami is also a contributor for some of the most prominent publications in the nation, including Windy City Times, California Courier, IN Magazine, OUT Traveler, The Fight, and The Advocate Magazine, among others.

The Wall Street Journal featured Gerami as a “leading gay activist” in its landmark 2008 coverage of opposition to Proposition 8, the ballot measure that for years denied same-sex couples in California the freedom to marry. In addition to his years of volunteer work as a leading advocate for marriage equality, later Gerami went on to serve as a Planning Committee member for the historic Resist March in 2017. Vic Gerami is also a founding board member of Equality Armenia.

In 2015, Gerami was referenced in the landmark Supreme Court civil rights case, Obergefell v. Hodges, in which the Court held in a 5–4 decision that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by both the Due Process and the Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Five months after activating an informal task force addressing Azerbaijan’s and Turkey’s sudden, violent, and unprovoked genocidal assault and ethnic-cleansing attack against Armenians in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), Gerami set out to amplify the impact of his  own and his news-media and entertainment-industry colleagues’ efforts to shine a brighter light on aggressor nations’ war of propaganda, Armenophobia, and disinformation by launching the Truth And Accountability League (TAAL).

TAAL serves as a watchdog organization conducting human rights-violations monitoring and reporting. With eyes open wide and specifically focusing on how nation-states, dictators and other antidemocratic forces manipulate international media, diplomats, and members of the intelligentsia, be they individual or institutional, TAAL is elevating its powers of observation and aspiration to greater governmental accountability.